Match-safe.



PATENTED FEB. 12; 1907.

M. E. MITGHELL. MATCH SAFE APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30, 1906.

I WITNESSES.-

UNTTED STATES PATEN OFFICE.

MALCOLM E. MITCHELL, OF TAYLOR, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JAMES J.CONROY, OF TAYLOR, TEXAS.

MATCH-SAFE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 12, 1907.

' Application filed March 30,1906. Serial No. 308,950.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MALCOLM E. MITCHELL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Taylor, in the county of WVilliamson and State of Texas,have invented anew and useful Improvement in a Match-Safe, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates generally to matchboxes, and more particularly toa match-box provided with a cover so constructed and arranged as toclose the box absolutely watertight; and another object of the inventionis to provide an improved means for opening the cover or top and alsofor securely fastening the cover when closed.

With these various objects in view my invention consists of the novelfeatures of construction hereinafter fully described, and pointed out inthe claim.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is aperspective view oi a match-box constructed in accordance with myinvention, the cover being closed and locked. Fig. 2 is a perspectiveview showing the cover unlocked and partially thrown back. Fig. 3 is avertical sectional view taken through the box when closed. Fig. 4 is aview of the bottom of the box. Fig. 5 is an invented view of the top.

In carrying out my invention I employ a metal box A, having a serratedor otherwise roughened bottom A, upon which the matches can bescratched. In connection with the box A, I employ a cover B, which ispreferably made of the same metal as the box and of such size and shapeas to snugly fit the box, said covering being provided with a flange B,which embraces the upper edges of the box, and at the sides theseflanges are extended downwardly a considerable distance, as sh own at Band pivotally connected to each depending portion B are link-arms C, thepivotal connection between the depending sides and the link-arms beingeffected by means of rivets O, which permit a free and easy movementbetween the depending sides and link-arms.

D indicates a locking-bail having the elbow-shaped members D, which arepivotally connected at their ends to the sides of the box by means ofrivets D and the lower ends of the link-arm C are pivotally connected tothese members D at the bend or elbow, as most clearly shown at C Bymeans of the link-arms, the locking-bail having the elbow-shapedmembers, I am enabled to quickly and easily lock the cover upon the boxby throwing the bail down until it contacts with the end of the box, asshown in Fig. 1, and by lifting said bail the lock is released and thecover raised and tilted to one end, as most clearly shown in Fig. 2.

For the purpose of making the box watertight I arrange a piece ofleather or rubber E upon the inner face of the cover and secure the sameby means of a plate E, which is riveted to the cover, and this plate Eis of such a size and shape as to expose only the edges of the leatheror rubber E, so that the top edges of the box contacts therewith andsecurely closes the box against the entrance of the water.

It will thus be seen that I provide an exceedingly cheap and simpleconstruction of match-box, one in which the cover can be quickly andeasily lifted from a closed to an open position, and vice versa, and onein which the cover is rendered absolutely tight.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

A match-box having a flange-cover provided with depending sides, alocking-bail provided with elbow-shaped members pivotally connected tothe side of the box by rivets, links connected to the depending side andto the bend of the elbow-shaped members, of the bail, a piece of packingmaterial arranged on the inner face of said cover and a plate riveted onsaid packing material to the cover for the purpose described.

MALCOLM E. MITCHELL.

Witnesses:

JOHN WAREs, WALTER HEAP.

